Shop Management: What is a Shop Foreman?
A few years ago, it seemed that nearly every shop had a foreman.However, over the years I’ve noticed that the foreman position has beendissolved. Little by little, shops have gotten away from having aforeman and simply have a manager with direct control over thetechnicians. Why? Is it to “downsize” and save the costs associatedwith this
EPA Confirms Aftermarket Right to Service Heavy Duty Vehicles
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) recently announced that it had received confirmation from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that nothing in EPA’s rule requiring On-Board-Diagnostics (OBD) systems for heavy duty applications was intended to prevent aftermarket facilities from servicing heavy duty vehicles and engines. APRA had questioned EPA about certain language in
APRA Launches ‘In It to Win It’ Campaign
TheAutomotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) has launched acampaign to promote the 2009 International BIG R Show to potentialexhibitors and attendees. The 2009 International Big R Show will takeplace Oct. 31 – Nov. 2 in Las Vegas. The BIG R Show will be co-located at The Riviera Hotel & Casinowith ATRA’s Powertrain Expo. Both shows take
Oil Pump Technology
Oil pressure is something every engine builder worries about. Low oil pressure or a loss of pressure can cause expensive warranty problems and catastrophic engine failures, neither of which is good for your business. Though the “bigger is better” mentality persists, most engines only need about 10 psi of oil pressure for every 1,000 rpm
House Energy and Commerce Committee Accepts Cash for Clunkers Program
TheU.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce hasaccepted the "Cash for Clunkers" fleet modernization amendment into thelanguage of House Bill 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Actof 2009, by a vote of 50-4. The amendment’s goal is to replace older,less-fuel-efficient vehicles with new, more-fuel-efficient vehicles –thus spurring new car sales in the
SuperFlow Acquires Zoom Technology
In an agreement reached with ZOOM CEO Chris Hansen, SuperFlow will take over all manufacturing, sales/marketing and administrative operations for the Zoom Technology product line, effective immediately. Hansen will also relocate from ZOOM’s New Jersey facility to Des Moines, Iowa to assist in the transition, and to support ZOOM’s existing product line and customer base.
Selecting Cranks, Rods and Bearings For Your Next Build
Racing engines are made for one thing – speed. But speed is a wide target. It is in the sum of parts that are bolted together to make up the package that speed is delivered to your customer. Engine builders know that one of the biggest areas where races are won and lost is in
Industry Associations Oppose ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Proposals
Why We Think “Cash For Clunkers” Should Be Scrapped Let’s face it; concern over the environment is a very important thing. Who doesn’t want to keep the world clean for future generations? Until those colonies on the Moon and Mars that we’ve been promised materialize, we’ve only got this one world and we need to
Small Block Chevy and Ford Performance Cylinder Heads
Over the years, the SB Chevy V8 evolved and grew in displacement from 265 to 283 to 302 to 327 to 350 to finally 400 cubic inches. Aftermarket blocks and stroker cranks have allowed even more displacement, with some “small blocks” now having as many cubic inches as a big block Chevy (427 and 454
Time for Chains: Stock and Performance Timing Sets
Timing chains and gears are engine parts that are usually replaced when an engine is rebuilt. Over time, gear teeth wear and chains stretch. This can cause noise, retarded valve timing (and ignition timing if the engine also has a cam-driven distributor), and a noticeable loss of performance and fuel economy. A new timing chain,
Piston Options and Opportunities
The sport compact market, it was thought, was going to breathe new life into the performance engine market, and for many years, the rapid growth of the market seemed to indicate that there was no limit to how big those little engines could get. Then something happened: to quote Engine Builder columnist and performance expert
PERA Spring Tech Meeting Preliminary Schedule
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) has announced its preliminary program for the upcomping Spring Tech Meeting to be held at Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC, March 18-20. In addition to an impressive line up of speakers, Richard Childress Racing has agreed to let PERA tour their shop. Hendrick Motor Sports will also host
What’s Rockin’ In Performance Rocker Arms and Valve Springs
Horsepower is in the heads. But for a cylinder head to breathe efficiently, the valvetrain must be rigid and strong to minimize flex, but also lightweight. For most performance applications, that means replacing the stock rocker arms, valve springs and pushrods with some type of aftermarket roller rocker arms, stiffer valve springs and stronger pushrods.
10 Ideas To Increase Customer Loyalty
A solid customer base is not something that grows overnight. It takestime to cultivate a database of customers who return for servicetime and time again, and who also recommend your shop to others.Several factors work together to enable you to earn their trust andrespect, which translates into satisfied customers and highly soughtafter repeat business. Things
Rat Rods
While the economy stalls – enthusiasts are building “Rat Rods” in record numbers. Right in the middle of the economic slowdown and our government’s bailout of Wall Street, a little West Coast car event called the Primer Nationals was taking place in Ventura, California. Did the hard times affect the turnout or enthusiasm for this
Manufacturer Tech Tip: Carburetor Cleaning Tips From Edelbrock
NEVER clean your EnduraShine or PermaStar parts with solvents or carburetor cleaners of any kind. Use of these cleaners will dull the luster and will remove the coating. Never use solvents or carburetor cleaners when rebuilding your EnduraShine carburetor. Do not use paper towels to wipe or clean your EnduraShine or PermaStar parts. Although Edelbrock
Taming The New Tiger
Say the name Arnie “Farmer” Beswick and many an old Pontiac fan will nod and share a story or two about Arnie and his legendary GTO, the Tameless Tiger. About two hours down the highway in Illinois, Jim Riskovsky, owner of Turbo Connection in Edwardsville, IL, is learning to tame his own tiger, his 2005
Connecting Rods: So Many Choices
Choosing a set of connecting rods for a performance engine is not as simple as it sounds. The rods you ultimately choose to use in an engine will depend on a number of factors, each of which can be critical to the life of the motor and the success of your customer. Your decision will
Shop Solutions: August 2008
Top 10 Machine Shop Business Tips We recently held a series of 8 focus meetings in the Midwest. Each meeting consisted of 8 to 10 machine shop owners and a moderator. Three questions were asked during the meeting: 1) What’s working? 2) What’s not working? and 3) What do you need most to help you
Head and Block Surfacing Equipment Update
How smooth is smooth enough? You used to be able to tell by dragging your fingernail across the surface of a cylinder head or engine block. And besides, it didn’t really matter because the composite head gasket would fill any gaps that your equipment or technique left behind. But with MLS gaskets the requirements have